I finished it a few weeks ago. I thought it was slightly above average but I wouldn't call it great; at least from a Western point of view. Nichijou has the same problem for me that I have with other Japanese shows like Gaki No Tsukai; a lot of the humor is just "too" Japanese, even with translation. Amplifying this problem is whenever it stumbles into one of those "Why is this supposed to be funny?" moments it drags on waaaaay too long (in fact never have I seen such a case where the Monty Python "Get on with it!!!" was more appropriate than these moments). The only thing that saves it and gives it an decent rating is when the humor hits...it really hits; not to mention it can be rather adorable and heartwarming at times. It's definitely a mixed bag show.

I finished it a few weeks ago. I thought it was slightly above average but I wouldn't call it great; at least from a Western point of view. Nichijou has the same problem for me that I have with other Japanese shows like Gaki No Tsukai; a lot of the humor is just "too" Japanese, even with translation.

Why should this show, not coming from the West, be held up to Western standards (whatever those are)?

Kinda besides the point. He's stating *his* view from a *western* opinion. =/And it's true... it *is very Japanese* humour that can make it tough to love at times. It's like when you need to be told why a joke was funny when you didn't get it.

I watched it a bit too. It wasn't my cup of tea, but a friend of mine was crazy for it. Some of the tropes were a bit too much for me (I found the robot-schtik with the giant turn-key not wanting to reveal she's a robot was stupid), but some parts were extreme, and stuff I'd never thought would be done.

Yeah, I guess one needs to understand a bit about japenese culture and such to fully apreciate the anime, causing those who like more western comedy to shy away. But still, I think think this show deserves good attention. It nows what it is and how to do it.

Kinda besides the point. He's stating *his* view from a *western* opinion. =/And it's true... it *is very Japanese* humour that can make it tough to love at times. It's like when you need to be told why a joke was funny when you didn't get it.

My point isn't saying his view is invalid, but maybe to try and challenge himself to go beyond that view. I am not saying he has to like it at all, but that perhaps it shouldn't be viewed under or held to a standard it isn't trying to achieve. Sure it's his opinion, but that doesn't make it beside the point.

There's nothing to 'challenge'. If you are Japanese (or have studied the culture), you'll get the jokes. If you aren't, you will miss some/most.

Here's an example:

Me and 2 other guys were translating a one-shot chapter and one of the joke was about the writing style of an author whose book is read by most Japanese school children.

It took us 2 entire weeks to even understand the joke through tons of research, and in the end, we just wrote a new joke over it, stating in the credits that if they want the original joke, they should be able to read the untranslated version. Else it's pretty much impossible to get it.

Kinda besides the point. He's stating *his* view from a *western* opinion. =/And it's true... it *is very Japanese* humour that can make it tough to love at times. It's like when you need to be told why a joke was funny when you didn't get it.

My point isn't saying his view is invalid, but maybe to try and challenge himself to go beyond that view. I am not saying he has to like it at all, but that perhaps it shouldn't be viewed under or held to a standard it isn't trying to achieve. Sure it's his opinion, but that doesn't make it beside the point.

Edit: XD Annubis beat me to the punch. Pretty much saying what I'm saying only more succinctly.

I think you're missing my point by a bit of misinterpretation. Off the top of my head the closest analogy I can make is that the humor in Nichijou doesn't translate to a westerner the same way farm humor doesn't translate to a city person, traditionally anyway. (Or like how someone from Japan might not understand why it's funny that a certain Transformer is voiced by Weird Al to go a little more niche.) It has nothing to do with view limitations; it simply has to do with the fact that I wasn't born in Japan. When you're born into a culture and have lived there all your life you pick up on the local humor, the colloquialisms, ect. Things that you would only understand if you have an active knowledge of the culture if you lived in it for quite some time.

Now if I had spent the last year or two living in Japan I might've been able to more often go "Oh, that's why that's funny." right off the bat. If I have to spend hours browsing around Wikipedia and random anime forums to find people who actually know the joke and can explain it; then it has long past lost it's ability to entertain me/make me laugh.

Hence why I said the show's is hit or miss from a "western perspective".

Yeah, I tried it, but it wasn't my kinda show. I dunno if it was too Japanese or what, but I just know it made me cringe more than it made me laugh. Of course, Sgt. Frog was the only Japanese comedy series I ever liked, so take that for what you will.

I didn't knw about this video. Brilliant! Wonder what else people can come up with with all the crazy scenes this anime has. And honestly I don't think one needs to know much about japanese culture to got the most of this show.

I didn't knw about this video. Brilliant! Wonder what else people can come up with with all the crazy scenes this anime has. And honestly I don't think one needs to know much about japanese culture to got the most of this show.